Today, Orange County is home to roughly 50 trucks that sell food ranging from bratwurst corn dogs to acai fruit bowls, according to the Roaming Hunger website, which tracks the schedules of trucks. Food truck operators say the trend has blossomed from fad to niche food category.

The competition is tough. Some trucks have opened and closed within six months.

"It's definitely not easier with way more trucks flooding the market, but the best trucks will thrive while the others just try to survive," said Hop Phan, who operates the Dos Chinos truck.

So what are your favorite trucks up to? Here's a rundown:

Kogi: Operates four trucks in Los Angeles and Orange counties. Chego, a brick-and-mortar venture, is slated to open this month in Los Angeles' Chinatown, at 727 N. Broadway. Chef Roy Choi, Mark Manguera and Caroline Shin, credited for launching the Southern California food truck craze, are the main owners.

The Lime Truck: Went from one truck to three after winning season 2 of "The Great Food Truck Race" on Food Network. Shemtob launched his first restaurant, TLT Food, in Los Angeles, in November. "Things have been going so well that we have locked down a second and third location for the restaurant," Shemtob said, declining to reveal location information. Former truck chef Jason Quinn operates his own restaurant, The Playground, in Santa Ana.

Shemtob is also involved with a new food venture dubbed CravOn fries. He has partnered with fry maker, J.R. Simplot Co., in promoting the fries via a new Los Angeles-based food truck. The new product is a "never fried" frozen french fry geared for the retail sector. The fries are partially cooked in a blanching process and tossed with olive oil and sea salt before being frozen. Follow on Twitter: @CravOnFries

Other trucks that have opened brick-and-mortar locations include Slapfish in Huntington Beach, Rancho A Go Go in Orange and Shortstop BBQ. Shortstop closed its Fullerton eatery this year and sold its truck to BaconMania last fall.

BaconMania: Launched second truck in Sacramento in early February. The Shortstop truck is used for private events only. Owner Jay DiEugenio said he's experimenting with a "pop-up" concept dubbed CaveMania. Its menu, based on the "paleo diet," offers "caveman" foods such as giant turkey legs and grass-fed beef. "We're trying to see if there's a market to sustain a truck. The menu is pretty expensive to produce," DiEugenio said.

Piaggio: One truck in operation plus access to another for special events. Active at various truck lots during the week, including lunch most Wednesdays in Newport Beach (1401 Dove). In the works: a daily lunch truck at the corner of Warner and Grand in Santa Ana.

Chomp Chomp: Scored big last month when Guy Fieri featured its Singapore-inspired foods on "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives." Plans to take the brand global.

Tropical Shave Ice: For the first time, the truck closed for the winter this year. It is now back on the road and "ready to rock," owner Rick Kukahiko said. Though his brick and mortar store closed last summer in West Covina, Kukahiko said he's still looking to open a shop locally.

Dogzilla: Purchased a second truck last month to circulate in Orange and Los Angeles counties. Introducing a new menu item, the pizza dog, this month. Made by Fullerton-based Masterlink, the sausage contains pepperoni, mozzarella and breadcrumbs, said truck co-founder Martin Tse.

Crepes Bonaparte: This "Great Food Truck Race" alum (season 1) operates its original crepe truck in Orange County and a second in San Diego. Owner Christian Murcia took over Calbi, one of the first "Kogi knockoff" trucks. Murcia manages Curbside Bites, which books trucks at weekly lots or special events. His second branded truck, Brats Berlin, launched in 2011 but closed a year later. "We couldn't make it profitable during the week," he said. Murcia announced a new breakfast and lunch lot at San Onofre State Beach. Go to curbsidebites.com

Related Links

Many food trucks have come on gone over the last few years. Some have opened brick-and-mortar restaurants. Where's your favorite truck? REGISTER FILE PHOTO
Crepes Bonaparte owner Christian Murcia organizes truck "stops" through Curbside Bites, a food truck booking service. He also took over ownership of the Calbi food trucks in Orange and San Diego counties. NANCY LUNA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The Lime Truck is one of the most successful locally-based food trucks. Are food trucks here to stay? FILE PHOTO
Fullerton-based Brats Berlin launched in 2011 and shut down more than a year later. It was started by the same owners of Crepes Bonaparte. "We couldn't make it profitable during the week," owner Christian Murcia said. Murcia organizes truck "stops" through Curbside Bites, a food truck booking service. He also took over ownership of the Calbi food trucks in Orange and San Diego counties. PHOTO COURTESY BRATS BERLIN
Fullerton-based Brats Berlin launched in 2011 and shut down more than a year later. It was started by the same owners of Crepes Bonaparte. "We couldn't make it profitable during the week," owner Christian Murcia said. COURTESY BRATS BERLIN
Lime Truck owner Daniel Shemtob is also involved with a new food venture dubbed CravOn fries. He is partnering with fry maker, J.R. Simplot Company, in promoting the fries via a new food truck. The new product is a “never fried” frozen french fry geared to the retail market. The fries are partially-cooked in a blanching process, and then tossed with olive oil and sea salt before being frozen. Follow on Twitter: @CravOnFries PHOTO COURTESY OF SIMPLOT.
Lupita Chavez, left, and Susan Huh came to the Chomp Chomp Nation food truck for lunch. Chomp Chomp was recently featured on "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" hosted by celebrity chef Guy Fieri. ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Ahi Tuna Poke Nachos are one of the unique and dishes available at The Lime Truck. NICK KOON, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Chomp Chomp Nation's Sloppy Joe Tots are a popular lunch item. ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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